Tyler Stevens

St Edmund’s College student Tyler Stevens was one of two ACT players selected in the Australian Schoolboys side following the National Schoolboys Championship at Viking Park last week. Stevens, in his third year of rugby, was selected in the national side alongside ACT flyhalf and St Edmund’s team mate Robbie Coleman. The Australian Schoolboys will play Fiji Schools in a curtain-raiser to the 13 September Bledisloe Cup Test at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Brumby Jack caught up with Stevens following his selection in the Australian Schoolboys side.

Brumby Jack: You’re relatively new to rugby but have an Australian Rules and rugby league background. What sort of levels did you play those codes to?
Tyler Stevens: I’d played rugby league and Aussie Rules since I was eight. In AFL I represented NSW and represented ACT in Under 16’s. In league I made the NSW squad and the ACT Schoolboys squad in Under 15’s.

BJ: What was behind your conversion to rugby?
TS: There wasn’t a lot happening for me in AFL or rugby league at the time and all my mates were playing rugby for St Eddies so I thought I'd go and give it a shot.

BJ: Would you consider yourself a fully converted rugby player now?
TS: Yeah, definitely.

BJ: Did you realise that you were in the mix for the Australian Schoolboys side prior to the tournament?
TS: Not really, my main focus was to have a good carnival, play good football and earn my spot if I was selected.

BJ: How does it feel now that you’re part of the squad?
TS: It’s great and a good relief.

BJ: What are you expecting from the experience of playing in front of a Bledisloe Cup crowd at Suncorp Stadium during your match against Fiji Schools?
TS: I can’t wait. It’s going to be one of those awesome, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m just hoping I play well and that we’re able to come away with the win.

BJ: What goals have you set yourself beyond the Australian Schoolboys and beyond this year?
TS: None yet. Now that I’ve made the Australian Schoolboys I just want to play as well as I can in those matches coming up.